The Ohio State Buckeyes sit at .500 on the season after a brutal Week 2 loss to the Texas Longhorns dropped them to 1-1. Ohio State gave up 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and lost on the road despite a star performance from wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

Ohio State’s defense couldn’t get a stop late, and the offense sputtered in the second half with just three points. With that loss still fresh, now feels like the right time to project how the rest of Ohio State’s 2026 regular season schedule plays out with game-by-game predictions.

Kent State (Week 3) — Ohio State 63, Kent State 3

Kent State comes to Columbus, and this one should be a blowout from start to finish. This might be the last game where Ohio State can rotate through the back end of its depth chart freely. The Buckeyes should get out to a big lead early and cycle players in as needed. Ohio State rolls, 63-3.

Illinois (Week 4) — Ohio State 34, Illinois 10

Ohio State’s first Big Ten game comes against Illinois, and the Illini aren’t as good as they were last year. The Buckeyes should win this one by three scores minimum. Ohio State opens Big Ten play with a comfortable 34-10 victory.

At Iowa (Week 5) — Ohio State 27, Iowa 17

Playing on the road at Iowa is never easy. The Hawkeyes always have a tough defense regardless of what their offense looks like. Ohio State can’t allow this to become a trap game. The Buckeyes win 27-17 in a game that’s closer than people would like it to be.

Maryland (Week 6) — Ohio State 41, Maryland 17

This is another game Ohio State can’t look past with Indiana looming in Week 7. The Buckeyes take care of business against the Terrapins, 41-17.

At Indiana (Week 7) — Ohio State 33, Indiana 24

This is going to be a big one. Ohio State tries to avenge the loss in the Big Ten Championship last year. Coach Kurt Cignetti is 1-1 against Ryan Day since arriving at Indiana, and this game will be the Hoosiers’ first real test of the year. Indiana should be 6-0 heading into this matchup, and they may not have a game within that stretch where they don’t win by three scores. That actually bodes well for Ohio State being more battle-tested to that point. The Buckeyes pick up a big road win before heading into the bye week, 33-24.

At USC (Week 9) — Ohio State 36, USC 24

Going west always presents potential trouble, and this Trojans team is expected to be a player in the Big Ten this season. USC will have the offense to compete with the Buckeyes. Still, Ohio State is too talented, and Day is a much better coach than Lincoln Riley. Ohio State wins 36-24.

Oregon (Week 10) — Ohio State 26, Oregon 20

This game looked huge to begin the season, but Oregon’s Week 2 loss to Oklahoma State tempered expectations for what the Ducks could be in 2026. That loss looked more like a game Oregon simply didn’t come out ready for. The Ducks are talented across the board and can match Ohio State athletically. Still, the Buckeyes aren’t going to lose this home game in November, and it’ll serve as a good resume booster. Ohio State grinds out a 26-20 win.

Northwestern (Week 11) — Ohio State 45, Northwestern 20

Ohio State faces former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and the program where Day’s son RJ Day is committed to play next season. Better days are on the horizon for the Wildcats with their improved coaching staff and new stadium, but the Buckeyes just have too many athletes for Northwestern to handle. Ohio State throttles them, 45-20.

At Nebraska (Week 12) — Ohio State 38, Nebraska 17

This is one Ohio State can’t look past with Michigan awaiting in Week 13. The Buckeyes won’t overlook the Cornhuskers, and they take care of business in another three-score win, 38-17.

Michigan (Week 13) — Ohio State 28, Michigan 20

The Wolverines didn’t start the season well despite a win over Western Michigan on a bad officiating call, but they looked the part in Week 2 against the Oklahoma Sooners. Kyle Whittingham’s team has to be taken seriously. Still, Ohio State’s offense compared to Michigan’s offense is going to be too much for the Wolverines. The Buckeyes should be able to shut down quarterback Bryce Underwood running the ball, and that will limit what Michigan’s offense can do. Ohio State builds on its winning streak against the Wolverines and picks up a second straight win in the rivalry, 28-20.

The Buckeyes would finish the regular season 11-1 with this projection, with the lone blemish being that Week 2 collapse at Texas. The talent is there for Ohio State to rattle off 10 straight wins from here — whether that run is enough to get back to the College Football Playoff is a question only the season can answer.